Speaker of the Seimas and European Commissioner discussed the relevant financial, agricultural and energy security issues

At his meeting with Günther Oettinger, Member of the European Commission responsible for the EU Budget and Human Resources, Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, discussed the EU’s multiannual financial framework, agricultural financing, decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, safety of the Astravyets nuclear power plant, and other issues.

Mr Pranckietis stressed the special importance of the EU’s multiannual financial framework not only for dealing with the challenges inside and outside the EU, but also for ensuring the funding for the EU’s long-term priorities such as cohesion and agriculture.

The Speaker of the Seimas noted that the Lithuanian agricultural sector had already suffered the losses of over EUR 40 million due to adverse weather conditions that year and that the destruction of crops would give rise to even greater damages. Günther Oettinger promised Viktoras Pranckietis to consider compensation of the losses incurred by Lithuanian farmers from EU programmes.

At the meeting, Mr Pranckietis also stressed that the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power plant was in the interests of the EU and the EU’s further support was needed for the continuation of the project. “About 40 % of all decommissioning activities have been brought to an end, with the ultimate completion scheduled for 2038. The project still needs around EUR 1.2 billion of additional funding from the EU,” said the Speaker of the Seimas also referring to the limited scope for increasing the funding for the project from the national budget. Mr Oettinger expressed his hope that the financial assistance for the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant would be ensured until the end of decommissioning.

With regard to the construction of the Astravyets nuclear power plant in Belarus, Mr Pranckietis stated that the nuclear power plant posed a multiple threat not only for Lithuania but also for the EU as a whole. “The EU should demonstrate solidarity and express a common position on the Astravyets nuclear power plant,” said the Speaker of the Seimas.